Scan barcode
A review by emilyrowanstudio
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Boy Parts was deliciously uncomfortable to read. Gruesome, hilarious, jaw-dropping, and did any of it really happen? Protagonist Irina is deeply unlikeable but equally addictive. The term 'unreliable narrator' could well have been made for her, and the extent of which you find this out as the novel goes on is truly chilling.
The social commentary here is fab, the one liners are laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters intentionally cringe. Scathing and brilliant British references are peppered throughout the book, from a friend's ex being described as "this NME-cut-out, landfill-indie looking c*nt with a porkpie hat and a huge fringe", to a character only ever referred to as "Eddie from Tesco".
The way in which the male gaze is flipped to that of a femme fatale in Boy Parts is so readable, Irina using her own fetishitic gaze to scrutizine in detail everyone she meets. Those interested in the arts and/or Photography (as I am) will surely enjoy the critique of the art world running through the book, from the North/South divide and privilege, to how Irina both plays and transgresses the system. She is one sly, shady lady.
I marked this down from 5 stars because of a 50 page drug bender towards the start of the book, the length of which didn't add much to the story. I much preferred the scouting for models, toxic dates, and exhibition prep which thankfully take up the majority of the book.
A dark, twisted, and violent book, one you'll simply click with or you won't. One Goodreads reviewer dubbed it "American Psycho for hot girls". Hard recommend if any of the above sounds up your street.
The social commentary here is fab, the one liners are laugh-out-loud funny, and the characters intentionally cringe. Scathing and brilliant British references are peppered throughout the book, from a friend's ex being described as "this NME-cut-out, landfill-indie looking c*nt with a porkpie hat and a huge fringe", to a character only ever referred to as "Eddie from Tesco".
The way in which the male gaze is flipped to that of a femme fatale in Boy Parts is so readable, Irina using her own fetishitic gaze to scrutizine in detail everyone she meets. Those interested in the arts and/or Photography (as I am) will surely enjoy the critique of the art world running through the book, from the North/South divide and privilege, to how Irina both plays and transgresses the system. She is one sly, shady lady.
I marked this down from 5 stars because of a 50 page drug bender towards the start of the book, the length of which didn't add much to the story. I much preferred the scouting for models, toxic dates, and exhibition prep which thankfully take up the majority of the book.
A dark, twisted, and violent book, one you'll simply click with or you won't. One Goodreads reviewer dubbed it "American Psycho for hot girls". Hard recommend if any of the above sounds up your street.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Rape, Physical abuse, Self harm, Murder, Animal death, Blood, Drug use, and Gore
Moderate: Classism, Vomit, and Eating disorder